Brisbane CBD residents have a unique opportunity to combine their civic duty with rock memorabilia next month, as legendary band Metallica partners with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for a special blood donation drive.
The collaboration coincides with Metallica’s upcoming Brisbane performance on 12 November at Suncorp Stadium as part of their M72 World Tour. Brisbane blood donors who give at the Edward Street donor centre between 5-11 November will receive a limited-edition Metallica t-shirt designed by the band’s iconic artist SQUINDO.
The exclusive Brisbane t-shirt features the band’s lyric “A Sea of Hearts Beat As One” within a blood drop design, along with Australian elements specifically for local fans. To receive the merchandise, donors must be enrolled in Lifeblood’s loyalty program, Lifeblood Gifts, either before donating or sign up when they arrive.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone, highlighted the timing of the partnership amid increased demand for blood products. The organisation requires more than 1.7 million donations annually to meet hospital needs, with 100,000 new donors needed each year due to growing population demands.
The Brisbane initiative forms part of a broader Australian tour collaboration between Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, and Lifeblood. Similar drives are occurring in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, timed around each tour stop.
This partnership builds on Metallica’s global philanthropic efforts, including their work with the American Red Cross during their recent US tour, which generated more than 2,000 blood and platelet donations. Since establishing All Within My Hands in 2017, the foundation has raised over $20 million for community initiatives.
Each blood donation can save up to three lives, supporting cancer patients, new mothers, trauma victims and surgical patients. The Brisbane Donor Centre is located at 288 Edward Street in the CBD.
For Brisbane residents with tattoos, recent policy changes mean plasma donations are accepted immediately after tattoos from licensed Australian parlours, while blood and platelet donations require just a one-week wait.
Donations can be booked through lifeblood.com.au/metallica or by calling 13 14 95.
Published 29-September-2025
